Carlsbad marked the opening of the city’s first fire station west of Interstate 5 and the train tracks Thursday, June 8.

The facility’s operation was launched with an uncoupling ceremony, a fire service tradition in which two parts of a fire hose are disconnected.

Although the site at the former Encina Power Station is temporary, city officials noted the importance of having service closer to the coastline.

“Calls for service along the coast have increased steadily over the years, and with all city fire stations east of I-5 and the railroad tracks, concerns about response times prompted talk of a coastal station,” the city stated in a news release announcing the station’s opening.

The new Station 7 is housed in a repurposed structure that was used while Station 2 in La Costa was rebuilt. That station reopened in its new quarters last October.

Carlsbad has a six-year lease with power company NRG for use of the property. The rent starts at $30,000 per year, subject to a 3% annual increase for a total of $194,052 over the six years, according to the city. The lease also has an extension option for an additional two years.

Station 7 is fully functional and can house a crew of seven, ladder truck and ambulance, city officials stated. It will also serve as headquarters for the city’s lifeguard service and can house two lifeguard trucks, two rescue watercraft and a small all-terrain vehicle.

“The city’s long-term plan is to find a site for a permanent Fire Station 7 to serve the city’s coastal area,” according to the city’s news release. “Quality of life and public safety are among the five goals in the City Council’s new 5-Year Strategic Plan, and the City Council has invested significant resources to increase the Fire Department’s capabilities in recent years.”

The temporary facility being used for Station 7 was originally located at Dove Library and cost $1,874,324 to install.